UK airport to close as travel chaos continues, here's what we know

It has been announced that Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set to close. As of today, Monday, September 26, it is unsure when the airport will close. Here’s all we know so far.

Financial problems

As reported by Metro, Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been limiting the number of flights due to ‘financial problems.’ Starting from the end of October, Peel Group flights will be less frequent.

A date has not been set for the closure, but airport bosses have said the airport is ‘not viable to its lack of adequate forward revenues and high operating costs.’

Chairman of Peel Airports Group Robert Hough said, as reported by ITV:

We recognise that this will come as a great disappointment to many. The intractable problem remains the fundamental and insufficient lack of current or prospective revenue streams, together with the airport’s high operating costs.

What does this mean?

Doncaster Sheffield Airport employs around 800 people and has 2,700 jobs in the supply chain, notes ITV.

According to BBC News, the airport was offered a money lifeline until 2023. However, the Peel Group company refused the offer since ‘it cannot responsibly accept public money for this highly uncertain process against the backdrop of an unviable, loss-making operating business’ the company’s board explained.

The airport is working on giving out as much information as possible on the ‘next steps’ for its customers and colleagues.

UK & Ireland managing director Andrew Flintham said:

We're working closely with our customers and colleagues on the required next steps. Customer communications will be sent to those impacted shortly and we will do everything we can to offer suitable, alternative roles to colleagues.

Sources used:

Metro: 'UK airport that operates TUI flights to close after suffering financial problems'

ITV: 'Flights to start 'winding down' as bosses say Doncaster Sheffield Airport will close'

BBC News: 'Doncaster Sheffield Airport to close despite financial lifeline offer'

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